Fore-end assembly with improved shock absorbing means for motorcycles

ABSTRACT

A fore-end assembly for motorcycles including improved shock absorbing means, characterized in that said fore-end assembly comprises a single shock absorbing element coupled to a motorcycle chassis, and supporting, at the bottom thereof, at least an arm for supporting the front wheel of said motorcycle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a fore-end assembly with improved shock absorbing means for motorcycles.

[0002] A very important problem in making motorcycle frameworks or chassis assemblies is that to reduce the chassis weight without lowering the mechanical strength thereof.

[0003] In particular, very great problems are encountered in making the fore-end assembly, or front fork assembly, because of the comparatively high weight due to the provision of telescopic shock absorbers on the fork tines.

[0004] Such an arrangement, while being broadly diffused, generates great problems deriving from the comparatively high inertia of the system and from the long time required by the shock absorber to provide a useful response.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a fore-end assembly for motorcycles, including an improved shock absorber system, allowing to greatly reduce the fore-end assembly weight, thereby solving all the mechanical problems deriving from the great inertia of prior systems.

[0006] Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a fore-end assembly for motorcycles, which can be constructed according to several different constructional arrangements, all provided for simplifying the assembly mechanical construction, while providing a possibility of using a broad range of solutions directed from the motor vehicle field.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a motorcycle fore-end assembly which, owing to its specifically designed constructional features, is very reliable and safe in operation.

[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a fore-end assembly for motorcycles, including an improved shock absorbing system or means, which can be easily made starting from easily available elements and materials and which, moreover, is very competitive from a mere economic standpoint.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a fore-end assembly for motorcycles including improved shock absorbing means, characterized in that said fore-end assembly comprises a single shock absorbing element coupled to a motorcycle chassis, and supporting, at the bottom thereof, at least an arm for supporting the front wheel of said motorcycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of a fore-end assembly for motorcycles, including an improved shock absorbing system or means, and being illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, where:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing a fore-end assembly for motorcycles according to the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating the tore-end assembly according to the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view substantially taken along the line III-III of FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 4 illustrates the shock absorbing element; and

[0015]FIG. 5 illustrates the piston of the shock-absorbing element shown in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the motorcycle fore-end assembly, including an improved shock absorbing system or means according to the present invention, which has been generally indicated by the reference number 1, comprises a single shock absorbing element, generally indicated by the reference number 2, which can be arranged both on the middle-line plane of the wheel, both in an adjoining relationship with respect to said wheel.

[0017] The main feature of the present invention is that it provides to use a single shock absorbing element, allowing to reduce the motorcycle chassis weight, while providing good mechanical strength characteristics.

[0018] The shock absorbing element 2, as shown in FIG. 1, is coupled, at the bottom thereof, to a wheel supporting arm 3, for supporting the motorcycle wheel 4, which wheel supporting arm 3 can be either a left or a right arm.

[0019] It would be also possible to use a conventional fork assembly, in which case the shock absorbing element will be arranged at the top, at the central region of the assembly.

[0020] The shock absorbing element, as clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, comprises a coating construction 10, arranged at the top, and in which a piston 11 can slide.

[0021] Said piston 11 is provided with a top limit ring-nut 12 and an extension detent ring nut 13, arranged above the oil guard element 14, coupled to the coating construction.

[0022] In order to prevent said piston from turning with respect to the coating construction coupled to the motorcycle chassis, guides 15, defined both on the piston body and on the coating construction 10 are provided, in said guides 15 being arranged respective balls 16 for facilitating the mutual sliding movement and for holding a desired axial aligning relationship.

[0023] Advantageously, said balls are driven in channels defined by said guides 15, communicating with oil channels.

[0024] At the bottom thereof, the piston 11 is coupled to a reversed pyramidal snug guide, for the fork 17, and being coupled to a locking plate 20 for locking said forks thereunder a precision spacing washer 21 is arranged.

[0025] Said spacer washer 21, in particular, is arranged between said plate 20 and a safety counter-plate 22.

[0026] Thus, the above disclosed device, allows to provide a motorcycle fore-end assembly, including a single shock absorbing element, arranged on the motorcycle wheel middle-line plane.

[0027] Thus, it is possible to obtain a great reduction of the motorcycle chassis weight, and a very good load balance.

[0028] The braking assembly for braking the motorcycle wheel can be made according to any conventional desired methods.

[0029] Such a braking assembly, in particular, owing to its constructional features, allows to easily apply a brake disc of a double caliper type.

[0030] The brake calipers, in particular, can comprise either one or more caliper plungers with independent oil circuits.

[0031] In fact, it is possible to optimize their constructions and operations.

[0032] From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.

[0033] In particular, the fact is to be pointed out that the invention provides a fore-end assembly for motorcycles of very reduced weight, while providing very good mechanical and strength characteristics.

[0034] The invention, as disclosed, is susceptible to several modifications and variations, all of which will come within the scope of the invention.

[0035] Moreover, all the constructional details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0036] In practicing the invention, the used materials, as well as the contingent size and shapes, can be any, depending on requirements. 

1. A fore-end assembly for motorcycles including improved shock absorbing means, characterized in that said fore-end assembly comprises a single shock absorbing element coupled to a motorcycle chassis, and supporting, at the bottom thereof, at least an arm for supporting the front wheel of said motorcycle.
 2. A fore-end assembly for motorcycles, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said shock absorbing element lays substantially on a plane passing through the middle line of the motorcycle front wheel.
 3. A fore-end assembly for motorcycles, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said shock absorbing element is coupled to a single supporting arm for supporting the motorcycle wheel, said single supporting arm being either a left or a right supporting arm.
 4. A fore-end assembly for motorcycles, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said shock absorbing element is coupled, at the top thereof, to a fork-like element.
 5. A fore-end assembly for motorcycles, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said shock absorbing element comprises a coating or covering construction, in the inside of which can telescopically slide a piston including a top ring nut and an extension detent ring nut.
 6. A fore-end assembly for motorcycles, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said shock absorbing element comprises means for preventing said piston from turning with respect to said coating or covering construction.
 7. A fore-end assembly for motorcycles, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said turning or rotating preventing means comprise a plurality of balls, engaged in ball guide respectively defined by said piston and by the inner surface of said coating or covering construction.
 8. A fore-end assembly for motorcycles, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said piston is coupled, at the bottom thereof, to a reverse pyramidal precision guide for coupling to the motorcycle fork.
 9. A fore-end assembly for motorcycles, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said piston is coupled, at the bottom thereof, to a plate, in turn coupled, through the interposition of a precision spacer washer, to a primary counter-plate for locking said fork.
 10. A fore-end assembly for motorcycles, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said assembly comprises, at a bottom end portion of said coating or covering means, oil-guard means.
 11. A fore-end assembly for motorcycles, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said assembly comprises oil supplying channels extending through the ball operating region.
 12. A fore-end assembly for motorcycles, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the braking assembly provided for braking the motorcycle wheels comprises a brake disc—double caliper assembly.
 13. A fore-end assembly for motorcycles, according to claim 12, characterized in that the calipers of the braking assembly of said motorcycle wheel comprise either one or more plungers with independent oil circuits.
 14. A fore-end assembly for motorcycles, including an improved shock absorbing system, according to one or more of the preceding claims, and substantially as broadly disclosed and illustrated and for the intended objects. 